Hi everyone! I created this page to be a basic skincare 101 for those starting their skincare journeys. All this content reflects personal opinion only and does not serve as a professional/medical recommendation. This content was reviewed by me, Beija, Jenny, and Elias. No affiliate links and no sponsored content here!
As a dermie told me once “use SPF every day without fail, moisturize with something basic, and use something with retinoids at night” <3
Cleanse
First step of any good skincare routine is a gentle cleanser to wash away the day! I personally only use cleansers every night and wash with water-only in the mornings. If you wear waterproof or heavy make-up, a few more steps might be required prior to this!
Everyday go-to (me): $38 Soy pH-balanced face wash by Fresh
Budget: $14 Hydrating face wash by Cerave
Hydrate
My thoughts on moisturizers is use what feels good to your face and meets your level of hydration needs and finish goals. If you want a plump, dewy finish, look for hyaluronic acid (super hygroscopic) in the ingredient list. Otherwise, things like ceramides and squalane are also good to have on the list. If I had to designate dollars to each of these categories, I think I would spend the least on moisturizers. I haven’t found magical differences between CeraVe ($1/oz) vs LaMer ($190/oz) tbh. A general rule-of-thumb is heavier creams at night, SPF containing lighter moisturizers for the day (see below “Prevent”).
Lightweight: $14 Daily Moisturizing Lotion by CeraVe
Heavyweight: $15 Moisturizing Cream by CeraVe
Elias’s current (super duty): $19 (1.7oz) Skin Renewing Night Cream by CeraVe
My current (ultra lightweight): $38 The True Cream Aqua Bomb by Belif
Tried and true (medium): $33 Ultra Facial Moisturizing Cream by Kiehl’s
Prevent
Retinoids rule this segment. Maybe you’ve heard of Retinols, which is usually referring to a “weaker” type of Retinoid commonly found over-the-counter. All retinoids are a form of a vitamin A derivative. It’s a one-stop-shop for high-yield skincare that helps with skin turnover rates, anti-aging, skin texture, building collagen, and acne.
**Warning: Retinoids are not to be used during pregnancy due to teratogenic effects.
Start slow and gradually increase use from once a week to daily. Make sure you use sunscreen, retinoids will make you more sensitive to the sun!
Most evidence-based (Elias & me): $20 co-pay Tretinoin 0.025 (prescription only)
Over-the-counter alternative: $12 Adapalene Gel 0.1% by Differin (Adapalene is also FDA approved for acne treatment)
Protect
Sun damage accounts for 90% of visible skin changes! The best anti-aging intervention is to use sunscreen. A product with at least 30 SPF should be worn every day, even when it’s cloudy, even when you’re spending most of your day inside. Night shift/OR only days may be the only exception but still, use it every day and it’ll be a good habit you’re building!
The easiest way to incorporate SPF for me has been to pick a daily moisturizer that already has it incorporated. While physical sunscreen would be preferred over chemical, a lot of physical sunscreens have a “white-cast” and thus will usually have some kind of skin-color tint to the product. For ease of use, I stick with chemical sunscreens almost all of the time, but I have both!
On a budget: $15 AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion by CeraVe SPF 30
Chemical Sunscreen (Elias): $38 Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop SPF 40
There’s a Trader Joe’s dupe for $9!!
Physical Sunscreen with tint (me): $38 Mineral Mattescreen by Supergoop SPF 40
For beach days and re-application (m3): $69 Sunforgettable Brush-on by Colorescience SPF 50
Treat
The rest is add-on treatments to meet your specific skin needs and goals! These include skin texture, uneven tone, pigmentation, dry patches, oiliness, acne, aging, and fine lines! (This section is still TBD)
Vitamin-C (and other antioxidants): Formulations vary and this is in theory is great for preventing visible aging and hyperpigmentation. However, as an antioxidant, you have to find a very stable form of it. It’s rare to find products that have been tested and labeled with a percentage, so it’s all trial and error. Beija is testing one now!
Other Acids: These all help with increasing cell turnover and are sometimes referred to as “acid peels”. The at-home products are usually diluted forms when compared to the products available to skin clinics. Examples include: AHA, BHA, Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Mandelic Acid.
Neurotoxins: All the botulinum derivatives "-tox” belong here! When injected into the muscle, it immobilizes and atrophies for 3-5 months, preventing you from making the specific facial expression responsible for the deep lines and wrinkles. It also gives your skin a break from the constant folding. My go-to age to recommend prevention is mid 20’s, and to start with low low doses and work on frown lines before smile lines.
A great brand to try things out is The Ordinary. Click on “formulations by category” to see all the al la carte options for add-ons at a great price point!